Why am I getting a FP if I still have to arrive early?

[lilbuddy88]

So can someone explain to me how MSEP FP works. The week of Thanksgiving we went to EPCOT and it was oddly empty and we were able to schedule a forth FP for illuminations. So I thought great more time to hang around the WS. But around 30 mins before the FP start time which as you know is already 30 mins before the show time. I noticed a line forming to enter the fp location. Somehow this seems to defeat the purpose of the FP for me if I still have to post up for a spot an hour early I might as well get a regular spot an hour before the show. So all that to ask and I going to experience the same thing tomorrow night for MSEP at 11 PM. We are dining at BOG at 9 and have until 10:50 to get into FP area. Will we still have a decent spot if we get there when we are supposed to (10:30-10:50). If we are going to have a bad spot anyway we might as well look for spots as we head toward the FP area.

 

[ParrotBill]

Precisely why I find FP+ for parades to be a waste... the area is small and has the same exact issues as any parade viewing area. Get there early if you want be on the edge or you will have to stand up behind rows of other people. I say don't waste a FP+ just find any good viewing area and be there early as usual.

 

[lilbuddy88]

Precisely why I find FP+ for parades to be a waste... the area is small and has the same exact issues as any parade viewing area. Get there early if you want be on the edge or you will have to stand up behind rows of other people. I say don't waste a FP+ just find any good viewing area and be there early as usual.

Thanks. The fast pass is really not a waste per se, We are only going for dinner (not getting to MK until about 7-7:30pm) and I figured well lets book some fp and catch a few things. So we have fp from 7:15-8:15 then 8:15-9:15 dinner is at 9 so really there was nothing else to book. Maybe I should try to get something from 6:15-7:15 and aim to get there toward the later

 

[seshat0120]

My sister and I did the fast pass for MSEP in November. We did get to the area before the FP time began but it was because we were already in the area and weren't planning on doing anything else. We could have waited until the end of our FP time and still would have been right up at the rope...everyone in the area was. During the parade, I was able to get up and wander around the area...I actually went to the back of the area because I was too close at the rope to get any wide angle shots.

 

[Ava]

We did the MSEP FP+ in September and thought it was worth it with two small children. We got to the viewing area right around the start time for the FP+ and got a spot at the rope. Main Street seemed to be packed already from what I could see, and we also wanted to see Wishes so it was nice to be able to just stay in the same spot for both.

I don't think I would do it for Illuminations, though. There are so many viewing spots for that, it seems like a waste of a FP+.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Precisely why I find FP+ for parades to be a waste... the area is small and has the same exact issues as any parade viewing area. Get there early if you want be on the edge or you will have to stand up behind rows of other people. I say don't waste a FP+ just find any good viewing area and be there early as usual.

Agreed!!!

 

[Robo]

IllumiNations FP and MSEP FP are two distinctly different situations.

It's much less critical at Epcot, due to the far great number of great viewing locations.

 

[Disneylover99]

We had a FP for MSEP during the week of Christmas. We got there right before the parade started and got a spot in front. There was tons of space to move around and stretch out. It was fabulous IMO. Everyone across from us who did not have a FP were packed together like sardines.